Sequestration cancels Memorial Day flyovers

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GRAND LAKE — The familiar F-16 Fighting Falcons won’t be seen jetting through Grand County skies this Memorial Day.

Automatic budget cuts from the federal sequester have canceled all holiday flyovers nationwide. The flights include one or several aircraft used for aerial salutes and memorials. They’re common across the country at sporting events, Independence Day celebrations and veteran memorials, including the Grand Lake’s Memorial Day ceremony.

“It pains us greatly as Colorado Guardsmen, particularly those of us that spend time in Grand Lake, not to be able to participate airborne,” said Lt. Col. James Reeman, who has participated in past Memorial Day flyovers and owns a home on the shore of Grand Lake.

The flyover cancellation will continue at least through the remainder of the federal government’s fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2014.